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Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn`t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
Verse Takeaways
1
Judgment is Imminent
Commentators explain that the image of an "axe laid at the root" signifies that God's judgment is not a distant threat but an immediate reality, ready to act. This isn't a call for minor corrections (pruning branches) but for the complete removal of what is worthless. The judgment is final, leading to destruction ("cast into the fire").
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Book Overview
Matthew
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13
18th Century
Presbyterian
The axe is laid unto the root of the trees. Laying the axe at the root of a tree is intended to denote that the tree is to be cut down. It…
Is the axe laid (η αξινη κειτα). This verb κειτα is used as the perfect passive of τιθημ. But the idea really is, "the axe lies at…
19th Century
Anglican
Now—Rather, already. This indicates the present reality of an act that is no longer in the future.
The ax is l…
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Baptist
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up childre…
The ax is “already” at the root of the trees (for the idiom, cf. Isaiah 10:33–34; Jeremiah 46:22). Just as the kingdom is da…
16th Century
Protestant
Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9. And now also the axe. After stripping hypocrites of the covering of vain confidence,…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And now also the axe is laid These words may be rendered, "for now also", and contain in them a reason why they migh…
Applying the message to the souls of the hearers is the life of preaching; and so it was with John's preaching. The Pharisees placed their main emp…
13th Century
Catholic
The Evangelist wrote about Christ’s entrance into the world; now, however, he writes about the course of His life, which is, in fact, considered ac…
